No deal has been finalized

Published 8:00 pm, Thursday, March 8, 2018

Barack Obama is in talks for a producing deal with Netflix, according to a report from the New York Times.

The proposed deal would see Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama provide original series that “highlight inspirational stories” for the streaming platform, according to the Times. No deal has been finalized.

“President and Mrs. Obama have always believed in the power of storytelling to inspire,” Eric Schultz, a senior adviser to the former president, said in a statement to the Times, not addressing the reported deal. “Throughout their lives, they have lifted up stories of people whose efforts to make a difference are quietly changing the world for the better. As they consider their future personal plans, they continue to explore new ways to help others tell and share their stories.”

The Times reported that the Obamas had also been courted by Netflix rivals Apple and Amazon, which have been attempting to expand their content offering to compete with the streaming giant.

Should an agreement come to fruition, it would be the latest splashy deal for the company which recently signed away mega-producers Ryan Murphy and Shonda Rhimes from their respective homes at Fox and ABC.

It would also follow a joint book deal for Barack and Michelle Obama at Penguin Random House, reportedly worth as much as $60 million.